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.It had to be something Earth-descended, for he could not believethat on Aurora, he-or anyone-would be eating any portion of the planet'ssparse indigenous biota or anything synthetic either.Nevertheless, thedescendants of Earthly food species might change with time, either throughdeliberate cultivation or the action of a strange environment-and Fastolfe, atlunchtime, had said that much of the Auroran diet was an acquired taste.He was pleasantly surprised.The taste was sharp and spicy, but he found itdelightful and took a second almost at once.He said, "Thank you" to the robot(who would not have objected to standing there indefinitely) and took theentire dish, together with the glass of water.The robot left.It was late afternoon now and the sunlight came ruddily through the westernwindows.Baley had the impression that this house was smaller than Fastolfe's,but it would have been more cheerful had not the sad figure of Gladia standingin its midst provoked a dispiriting effect.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlThat might, of course, be Baley's imagination.Cheer, in any case, seemed tohim impossible in any structure purporting to house and protect human beingsthat yet remained exposed to the Outside beyond each wall.Not one wall, hethought, had the warmth of human life on the other side.In no direction couldone look for companionship and community.Through every outer wall, everyside, top and bottom, there was inanimate world.Cold! Cold!And coldness flooded back upon Baley himself as he thought again of thedilemma in -which he found himself.(For a moment, the shock of meeting GladiaPage 94ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlagain had driven it from his mind.Gladia said, "Come.Sit down, Elijah.You must excuse me for not quite beingmyself.I am, for a second time, the center of a planetary sensation-and thefirst time was more, than enough"I understand, Gladia.Please do not apologize," said Baley."And as for you, dear Doctor, please don't feel you need go.""Well-" Fastolfe looked at the time strip on the wall."I will stay for ashort while, but then, my dear, there is work that must be done though theskies fall.All the more so, since I must look forward to a near future inwhich I may be restrained from doing any work at all."Gladia blinked rapidly, as though holding back tears."I know, Dr.Fastolfe.You are in deep trouble because of-of what happened here and I don't seem tohave time to think of anything but my own-discomfort."Fastolfe said, "I'll do my best to take care of my own problem, Gladia, andthere is no need for you to feel guilt over the matter.-Perhaps Mr.Baleywill be able to help us both."Baley pressed his lips together at that, then said heavily, "I was not aware,Gladia, that you were in any way involved in this affair.""Who else would be?" she said with a sigh.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html"You are-were-in possession of Jander Panell?""Not truly in possession.I had him on loan from Dr.Fastolfe.""Were you with him when he----2'Baley hesitated over some way of putting it."Died? Mightn't we say died? -No, I was I not.And before you ask, there wasno one else in the house at the time.I was alone.I am usually alone.Almostalways.That is my Solarian upbringing, you remember.Of course, that is notobligatory.You two are here and I do not mind-very much.""And you were definitely alone at the time Jander died? No mistake?""I have said so," said Gladia, sounding a little irritated."No, never mind,Elijah.I know you must have everything repeated and repeated.I was alone.Honestly.""There were robots present, though.""Yes, of course.When I say 'alone,' I mean there were no other human beingspresent.""How many robots do you possess, Gladia? Not counting Jander."Gladia paused as though she were counting internally.Finally, she said,"Twenty.Five in the house and fifteen on the grounds.Robots move freelybetween my house and Dr.Fastolfe's, too, so that it isn't always possible tojudge, when a robot is quickly seen at either establishment, whether it is onePage 95ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlof mine or one of his.""Ah," said Baley, "and since Dr [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]